79: TIME ARIEL’S POV It had been two weeks since the tragic incident occurred, and the impact was still felt by everyone. The sudden loss of Riley and the maids was a devastating blow that left a permanent scar on our hearts. The grief and sorrow were overwhelming, but it was Luke who was hit the hardest. He had lost not only his beloved cousin, but also the loyal maids who had been a part of his life for years. The emptiness and sadness he felt were palpable, and it was clear that he would never be the same again. He had been struggling with depression for the past few days, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. He seemed distant and withdrawn, barely speaking or eating, and he hardly did anything at all. Just going to work, with a sad countenance.It was difficult to see him like this, and it was clear that he was going through a rough time. We didn’t spend time together anymore. We even slept in separate bedrooms at night. I wanted to reach out and help him, but I didn’t know how to make things better. All I could do was hope that he would find his way out of this dark place soon. Yes, I wanted vengeance. No doubt about that. But seeing him like this every day? I couldn’t help but feel shattered. I had been consumed by thoughts of revenge, wanting to see him pay for the pain he had caused me. heby But here I was, dwelling in agony as he dwelled in agony. And just thinking about his broken state had me sorrowful. I couldn’t help but feel broken myself. This was not the outcome I had hoped for, and I couldn’t bear to see him in such a state. After the incident that rocked his life and left him with painful memories, Luke move to a new mansion in New Haven. He couldn’t bear to live in the old its constant reminder of the tragic events that had unfolded there. aded to anymore, with The house held too much sorrow and pain for him, and he knew he needed a change of scenery in order to heal and move on. I totally understood his point of view. And I just hoped he would change back to the way he used to be. I sat on a bench in the park, watching as small kids played happily on the green grass. The sun shone bright, lighting up their smiling faces. They laughed and ran around, full of joy. I couldn’t help but smile at them. A group of kids gathered around a sandbox, their small hands busy building sandcastles. They molded the sand into towers and moats, their imaginations creating magical kingdoms. I was captivated by their awesome creations, making my smile wider. Then there was this little boy who was running, but stumbled, and fell. He began to cry. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. I got up and was about to move in the little boy’s direction. But someone blocked me. It was Mason. “Mrs. Reynold, isn’t it just wonderful to see you in the park, watching these little children play?” Mason smirked. I glanced at the little boy who had fallen seconds ago. His friends rushed to help him from the ground. And then Mason snapped his fingers at my face.Th “Look at me when I’m talking to you,” he said. I couldn’t help but glare at him. “What do you want now, Mason?”“What do I want?” Mason laughed. “I hope you haven’t forgotten about our plan. If so, then forget about your two children.” “I’ll get Luke to sign those papers, okay? Just give me more time.” “More time?” He blurted. “It’s been two weeks Ariel. Two goddamn weeks, and you still haven’t given me any feedback. What the hell is wrong with you?” “Nothing! Nothing, okay?!” I shrieked a little. “It’s just that..” “It’s just that what?” Mason cut me off.I looked him in the eyes, and settled down on the bench once again. “Didn’t you hear of the tragedy that struck Luke?” “Yes, I did. His little cousin died.” “Exactly!” I blurted. “That’s why we need to give him more time to heal from the pain.” “Oh please, stop making dumb excuses. The Luke you want to give more time to heal from his pain, goes to work every single day.” “Yes, he does. But you’re not the one living with him. I see what you don’t see, and I know what you don’t know.” “And I can see your little babies being buried. Yes, six feet underground. What’s their name again? Right; Lukel and Janice.” “I’ve told you already. I’ll make Luke sign those documents in just a matter of time,” I spoke, my tone getting louder each second. “When?” “I’m sorry. What did you just say?” I raised an eyebrow. “When are you going to make Luke sign those goddamn papers?” “You need to give me more time,” I told him. “I know I’m going to give you more time. But it’s not going to take this long,” Mason spoke, crossing his arms. “What’s going on in that head of yours right now?” I looked at him pretty well. “Oh nothing,” he replied, crafting a fake smile. “I’m just thinking of how I’m going to murder your babies. Should I use the knife, bury them alive? Or…..!! “Okay will you please just stop it?” I interrupted him. “You’re getting on my nerve, Ariel.”“I told you; Luke has been going through a lot, and giving him a bunch of papers to sign might just be kind of crazy. And creepy.” ” ‘Creepy for you. Not for me,” he spat. “Did you see how that little boy fell down hard and started crying?” Mason snapped his fingers after uttering those words. “Oh yeah! You did!” A I just gave him a weird face, mixed with confusion. “You’re giving me that look?” He chuckled. “I’m just trying to let you know that if you continue to do shit, you will be just like that boy. You’ll go through so much pain, and trust me. I’m not going to spare you one bit.” “There’s no need to be vile, okay? You and I both want revenge. I think we’re on the same page. “Those are just words, Ariel. Mere words,” Mason enunciated. “You say you want revenge, but I can see that you don’t. You claim that you have intense hatred for Luke, but I can see the passion for him in your eyes.”“I think you should go see an optometrist, or something. Cause there is no way, I mean no way, I got passion for Luke.” Mason chuckled. “Do you think I’m a fool? You still love that man, just like you used to do in the past.” “No, I don’t!” I disagreed. “Yes you do!” He spoke loudly. “If you really hate that man the way you say it, then we would have been done with this plan by now.” “You think it’s that easy to make someone who used to despise you, fall in love with you? You think it’s easy?” “Oh, shut up. You have six days. Six days to get Luke to sign those documents. And failure to do that, you know what’s going to happen.” Mason walked after vocalizing those words. I glared at him as he traipsed a little bit far from me.